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February 15, 2009

How did you spend your Valentine's Day. As you can see Brian and I spent ours at the Longwood Gardens conservatory. Not that we intended to go on Valentine's Day to take the photos. That was just the way things played out. Unfortunately for us, about 1,000 other people thought a romantic day at Longwood was a good idea too.

I'm an easily embarrassed person. So, posing in front of many passing strangers with clunky camera equipment wasn't exactly what I had envisioned when I suggested that we take Valentine's Day themed photos. I'm fairly certain it wasn't Brian's either.

HOWEVER, after getting past the first 20 minutes of uncomfortable stares we started actually enjoying ourselves. And in the end I left with a sense of satisfaction about the day, albeit with very sore feet and one lost lens cap. Unfortunately for us, we over spent our stay by about an hour and missed our Valentine's reservation at a nearby bed and breakfast we had visited six years ago.

Little did we know that this grave oversight would cost us dearly. On our way back to Lancaster we thought to have dinner at one of the many eating establishments on route 30 in the heart of Amish Country's tourist trap.

As with the gardens, about 50,000 other people had the same idea. To make things worse the only thing I had ate was a packet of cheese and chives crackers. I swear, even the Chinese buffet had a 45 minute wait.

We ended up at a Thai restaurant called Lemongrass and I don't think food has ever tasted so good. I was of course, delirious from starvation but I'll concede that the chef had something to do with it.In case you might be wondering, the tulip in the photo wasn't pilfered. It was a part of the bouquet Brian sent to me by delivery service on Friday. Sentimentally sweet!

The overcoat is made with a soft linen-like material with a muslin quilted liner sewn into the inside. The front of the jacket bears a heart shaped neckline with a gathered collar on either side. Three-quarter sleeves make this overcoat appropriate for springtime and a pleated empire waisted skirt make it equally feminine.

These photos were the first I've taken with my new 50mm f/1.8 lens. It takes the best, blurriest, most glamorous photos! Speaking of Valentine's day and cameras. While dining at Lemongrass Brian let me open my Valentine's Day gift. I'll give you a clue, it was something that I can share with you!

I let out a happy gasp as I saw the numerical prefix for a speedlite that I have been keeping an eye one for many months. If you haven't heard of a speedlite, it's basically the coolest little accessory any fashionable camera 'must have'.

With my new speedlite I can bounce the flash on the ceiling or the wall and make all my flash photography look so natural and soft. UGH! I can't tell you how much I LOVE IT! I feel like such a professional:)

Brian received a special gift too. You can see it in our photos. Aptly named, the Diana Dreamer camera. It's a reproduction and you can only get it at Urban Outfitters. So retro. So analog. It's been known to take dreamy, etherial photos. It has quite an underground following but you have to use special film and get it developed online.

I haven't gotten film developed film since the 90s. But a part of me is looking forward to opening that package after waiting for a week to send it to the lab.

I bought him two types of film, color and infrared. It's the infraredone I'm especially excited to see him use. It's b&w and supposed to make skies dark and whites glow. Surreal.

Let me end by mentioning that along with the camera, I received another Valentine's day gift that Brian didn't have to spend a dime on and that was the memorable photos we took together. I'm sure it wouldn't have been the first thing he wanted to do, but for me, he did. And it's been solong since we did something like this, I was quietly grateful.

Last day for posts is Friday 2/27/09.Winnerwill be announced Sunday!

As usual, if you would like a chance to win this overcoatjust link back to this post. If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link to the right. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.

I love the jacket. But even more I LOVE the photos! They are just gorgeous! How did you take these? I am quite sure that you did not take a third person with you on your valentine trip?! Did you take those glamorous pics using a tripod?! I would really love, if you would tell me. I cannot believe that one can take such great pictures with a tripod!

Miss Muffin was right. I took them with a tripod which was at times quite awkward with the crowds of people walking around us. But the real credit should go toward the camera and the lens which are AWESOME!

As for Brian's camera....I bought it off of Urban Outfitters online site. It's a lomo camera. You can find out more about lomo cameras here:http://www.lomography.com/filmshop/

Such an adorable jacket! I have the perfect skirt to accompany it! :) I just sewed up a chambray denim (lightweight) skirt with lots of tucks and pleats and super gathered, and lined with a white petticoat slip! SO SPRING LIKE AND ADORABLE!I even made a skirt for my girls, too...matching! I LOVE THIS JACKET!

I just found your blog by pure luck and I am in love. Note only is the red overcoat absolutely incredibly beautiful - everything is fantastic here. I will definitely follow you here from now on. Thank you so much for sharing with us all.

I found your blog by coincidence, but boy do I want to follow you more closely from now on. Not only is your red overcoat absolutely beautiful, but your photos and everything just makes me smile. I love it. I have linked to you at my blog and used one of your photos, since I read in your Q&A's that it would be ok. Thanks a lot...

I just love your adult giveaway items. Your talent is astounding. I must admit I am quite envious of your family being so willing to sit for your photos. It takes much begging and pleading on my part to even get a blurry photo. Enjoy it!

I just found your site and I am excited to enjoy the fun photography and see your creations. I think sewing is a fabulous gift that I greatly admire in jealous fashion! And it's a beautiful coat too! (How did you learn to take such great pics?)

If I win this jacket I hope it looks as stunning on me as it does on you. I hope you make 2 of them so you can have one for yourself! Your skin and hair look amazing. Like Snow White! When ever I look in on your new creations it seriously makes my day! Keep creating, you're an inspiration.

Your talent is beyond compare. You inspire me to make something and I do not even sew. Thanks for the wonderful products you create, I love looking at them. I would love to have this one of a kind coat.

You two are so cute. I love the pictures of you and your hubby...especially the one you are on the chair and he's jumping to give you the tulip :) So cute. I love your designs as well and I look forward to seeing your visions come alive!

I LOVE this post. You guys are the cutest couple ever. You look so incredibly chic, it kills me! I agree with Meninheira, "it has a delicious French air about it"! You are totally rockin' the flawless skin and stylish outfits. Seriously.

Those photos are so cute! You'll be treasuring those photos for years! I wish I could get my husband to do stuff like that. That coat is way cute! I LOVE red! I hope you made two to keep one for yourself!

Hi Crystal...thank you so very much for your kind words...they will warm many a frosty moment. Like our preacher said Sunday, "this week someone put their arm around my shoulder and asked how I was doing. You know, I can live on that for a month!" Kind words are always in season, God bless you and yours ten times over.

tell me more about how you took the photo please....did you put the came ra on the tripod, then set a timer....and let the camera decided all of the Shutter speed and appertur and all of those good stuf? or how did you set it?The coat is very cute, I wish I could wear it, it's just that I wear Petite size...is that going to fit me?

I love the pictures. This way to spend a romantic day should be put into those budget idea articles. How romantic, cute and fun that looked. I'd love to get a speedlight for my dlsr. how thoughtful of him.

i can't even begin to imagine sewing this coat. my sewing machine rears up and snarls if i get too close to it. but this crimson beauty is spectacular. and your post is especially lovely, as well. i've posted about it at my blog. and i've got my little fingers all crossed that i might be lucky, lucky.

What a gorgeous coat! Oh how I wish I could sew like that! Alas, my brain is fully on logical, all-numbers, all the time. Oh well, at least I can enjoy your talents and maybe win a beautiful coat! Love the photos too.

What an amazingly lovely day you had. The coat is just stunning - and my favourite colour too - and the pics are wonderful. Look forward to seeing the photos from that new funky camera!I've posted a link on my blog :-)

Your coat is just beautiful! I will link to it from my blog, The Recessionista.It's adorable and I hope to win.BTW, who won the Lunch Date Blouse?YOu are REALLY talented. I used to sew religiously, but just haven't had the time in recent years. I make something now only once or twice a year.Let me know if you ever want to cross link your site with mine. I think sewing will make a comeback in the Recession.Did you know sales of Sewing Machines are UP for the 1st time in years!!!Keep up the great work!MH, The Recessionista Bloghttp://therecessionista.blogspot.com

my goodness... darling couple, wonderful pictures, beautiful coat and WHAT? you're giving that coat away??? OMGoodness! Well, i for one (of hundreds!) would LOVE to sport this sweet little number and then hand it down to my little girl when she's a bit taller! ;)

Your pictures are gorgeous, and your jacket is stunning!!! This was a great post, too!!

I do have a question, though. I clicked on "Create a Link" , but I'm not sure what is supposed to happen. How do I know if a link was created? I'm really not sure what I'm doing here or if it shows up on Technorati. Can you please explain a bit more to me?

Hello. Isn't this nice that I stumbled upon your blog. I enjoyed reading your post. Well, as much as it is nice to enter in your giveaway (you have a lovely giveaway by the way and I just linked and crossing my fingers), I did enjoy reading the story - such sweet story you shared. I enjoy the pictures too.

Oh, I read your Q & A. Since you're ok if your pictures are posted, I did post a picture of the overcoat with your name and link in it on my blog. Just thought it would be nice to have the picture within the post.

OMG!!! Your creation are just too beautiful. As most of us are propably in the same boat with just being able to drool over Anthropologies creations, I'll definately take a chance on this gorgeous sweater.

About Me

A blog by an artsy craftsy, penny pinching, party planning, playdating,
fashion finding, sci-fi loving, stay at home mother of three little
girls *and one little boy who always keeps her sewing machine plugged in and loves all
things charming.